Alameda: new biz on the horizon

Seems like the activity around the old Safeway at Towne Centre (aka new target, aka new OSH) is piquing people’s interest around town. And from a few conversations over the last week, it sounds like the new tenant is going to be…..Ross Dress for Less. So either everyone’s talking to the same person, or else consensus has it that Ross will be returning to Towne Centre after not having their lease renewed in the pre-renovation days.

On the other side of the island, word is that Alameda Landing is close to closing a deal with Target (worst kept secret in Alameda) but also In-and-Out burger and Safeway. No word on when the city council voted to approve those choices.

So Alameda Landing, which was presented as a “mixed-use” development, despite never actually being one, will resemble a freeway exit strip mall. Instead of Target being built where people already shop for Target-complementary things (that would be Towne Centre, where over 60% of Alamedans supported them going) and cutting down on cross island traffic, now everyone can drive somewhere new to buy their low-quality goods! yay? It’s still better than 70% of the island heading off to San Leandro or Albany every week, but it hardly feels like a victory for the City at large. The City Council’s lack of leadership on the Target issue will always be perplexing.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the coming months. Will Ross be the business that is finally just allowed to open at Towne Centre? or are we in for many more marathon meetings about retail stores at the mall?